Mixing apparatus



March 30, 1948. E. M. oNElLL 2,438,574

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 -lNVENTOR fd awan/@W BY/M 6W ATTGRNEY March 30, 1948. E, M QNElLL 2,438,574

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Edward /VO/Vf/Y/ ATTORNEY March 30, 1948. E. M. oNElLL. 2,438,574

` MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR EdwardM 'M9/W BY ZU l l ATTORNEY March 30, 1948.v E. M. oNElLl. 2,438,574

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ligf- INVENTOREdward M O/V/Y/ BY /l/wl/ f ,5 M?

/4 ATTO R N EY March 3(1), 1948. E. M. o'NElLl. 2,438,574v

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 l jj o 205 2 l/874@im l5 @D [f3 F' 2z 22 .3f l L 3f 4c, 254;/ 27/f u 45 A 4?/ 47/ 32 l V2'/ a Z8 l11?/ 23 33 :37 3414 lNvENToR Vn/ar' /W '/1/6/7/ BY Zd/wdATTORNEY March 30, 1948. E. M. o'NElLL 2,438,574

4 MIXING APPARATUS i Filed Aug. 24 1942 8 sheets-sheet 'r le! lo [58M2642 /59 lnQENTloR Edward M O/Ve/Y/ EgfvAf/w ATTORNEY March 30, 1948.E, M, 0NE|| 2,438,574

MIXING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 24, 1942 a sheets-sheet8 INl ATTORNEYPatented Mar. 3 0, 1948 MIXING APPARATUS Edward M. ONeill, SanFrancisco, Calif., assignor to Union Machine Company, San Francisco,Calif., a corporation of California Application August 24, 1942, serialNo'. 455,833

1 claim. 1

This invention relates to an apparatus for making mixtures; such forexample as for mixing measured quantities of different colored paints,lacquers or the like to secure a predetermined color or tint. Thisapplication is a continuation in part of an application led in the nameof Edward M. ONeill on October 16, 1939, Serial No. 299,677, andentitled Mixing apparatus, now Patent No. 2,333,951, dated Nov. 9, 1943.

It is clear that to ensure availability of all such tints or colorcombinations in ready mixed form, it would be necessary to provide avery large stock. It is one of the objects of this invention to obviatethe necessity of such a large stock, and especially by providing amixing apparatus, in which any or all of a limited number of colors,which may be conveniently termed basic or ingredient colors, may be usedin a wide variety of compositions. Thus with as few as iifteen basiccolors, many thousands of tints or color combinations can be produced.

By the aid of this invention, the previously determined formula for eachtint, prescribing use of some of the basic colors,` may be readilyfollowed. It is only necessary to use the speciiied proportion of eachconstituent color; and prepared tabulations may be used setting forththe proportional amount of each necessary constituent color to beincluded in the nal mixture.

In general, the apparatus for performing the mixing operation mayconveniently incorporate a table, supporting the cans in which theconstituent colors are located, and having provisions for positioningany one of the cans at a discharging position, where a stationary mixingtable is provided. The containers or cans should be capable of :beingreadily removed and replaced in the apparatus, as well as to Ibe readilycontrolled to discharge the desired amount of its paint or color. It isaccordingly another object of this invention to provide a can orcontainer structure that fullls these requirements in a satisfactorymanner.

In order to ensure uniformity in results, it is essential that theconstituent colors be thoroughly agitated immediately prior to themixing operation. It is still another object of this invention toprovide an effective and reliable agitator mechanism and agitator drive,that is simple, inexpensive, and capable of rapidly and simultaneouslyagitating all of the colors.

This invention possesses many other advantages, and has other objectsVwhich maybe made more easily apparent from a consdelatQli Qf severalembodiments of the invention. For this purpose there is shown a singleform in the drawing accompanying and forming part of the presentspecification. This form will now be described in detail, illustratingthe general principles of the invention; but it is to be understood thatthis detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, sincethe scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is an elevation 0f an apparatus incorporating the invention;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1, a portion ofthe apparatus being broken away in order better to expose some of theelements thereof;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary sectional views, taken alongcorrespondingly numbered planes of Fig. 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 are detail sectional views, taken along correspondinglynumbered .planes of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a detail sectional view, taken along plane 'l--T of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a detail sectional view, taken along plane 8-8 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view, taken along plane 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged sectional view, taken along plane IU-I 0 of Fig.9;

Fig. 11 is an elevational View, showing one of the color containers;

Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken along plane l2|2 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary enlarged front elevation of the valve mechanismutilized in connection with the container illustrated in Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a sectional view, taken along the plane l4-I4 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 15 is a sectional view taken along plane l5-l5 of Fig. 13;

Fig. 16 is an elevational View, partly in section and on an enlargedscale, taken along plane |$-I6ofFig.3;

Fig. 17 is a detail view of a portion of the apparatus of Fig. 16;

Fig. 18 is a section taken along plane |8-I8 of Fig. 17;

Figs. 19 and 20 are detail sections as seen on correspon-dingly numberedplanesV of Fig. 16;

Fig. 21 is a diagram showing the assembly of a valve which may be usedon the containers;

Fig. 22 is a diagram of a scale for the gauge used with the apparatus;

Fig. 23 is a ldetail section taken along plane 23-23 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 2c is a pictorial view illustrating a i001 useful in carrying outthe procedure of Figs. 26 and 27.

The apparatus as a whole is generally shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. Inthese gures, a flat table 4 is illustrated, and serves to supportdetachably a series of containers 2. Table 4 is'rota'tably sup.-rported; and is shown a-s circular. It may be formed of wood, metal orother suitable material;

as shown it is formed of plywood reinforced with central metallic plates20| and 202 disposed on its opposite faces, and secured thereon by bolts203, which extend through the' plates and the plywood. Table 4 is alsoprovided with a circumferential metallic band `I'IS ywhich extends aboveits upper surface to provide a shoulder for a purpose presentlydescribed,

A central sleeve 3, which'may be conveniently a'shortpiece of pipe iswelded or otherwise secured to the underside of plate 202, 'whichoverlies and closes the upper end ofthe pipe 'or sleeve3. Y The tablestructure'incorporating the parts 3 and 4, is arranged to beYar'igula'rly adjustable about the aXis V5 of a pedestal' 6.. Thispedestal 6 extends upwardly into the sleeve 3' where it serves as abearing for the sleeve. Pedestal 5 may be in the form of a hollow pipe,capped -at its upper end hy a cap member 'I having a. convex topsurface. The table'structure 4 rests by gravity at its center, upon thecap l; and the sleeve 3 has a running fit over the pedestal Inthisway'the table structure may be angularly ad- `j usted manually'orotherwise,V as "required in the use of the apparatus. l y Y The pedestalE5, as shown most clearly in Fig. 1, may be supported in a base 0 havinga wide ilan'ge 9 by the Yaid of which it may be seeured to a supportingsurface, such as a floorl. Thus the entire apparatus` maybe convenientlylocated in a paint shop,.o`rf other place where it 'is desired toprovide a definite mixture, incor- Y what larger diameter than that ofcan 2.

porating liquid, such as paint from any oneror more of the containers2.V

The arrangement is such that by Vrotation fof the. structure, any ofthecontainers or cans 2 may be brought!v into a desired position fordischarging an ingredienti or constituent fromfthe can. `For thispurpose the cans or containers 2, as shown most clearly in Fig. l2, arearranged in an annular manner about the airis 5 of rotation of the tablestructure. In the 'present instance provisions are made` for fifteen-containers2` to be Vreleasably supported by the table I. 'Thesecontainers may be in the form of conventional paint cans, eac-h oneappropriately .labeled .with the numberl or name ,of the colorconstituent which it carries. Each rof the cans or containers 2Y isfurthermore provided with valve means. to permit discharging, kof the,contents into any de,-

sired Container or receptacle, such as illustratei'ly at IIj, l'igs. l.2,v 3 and 1b.Y By angular adjustment, of the position of the table, anyone ofthe containers 2 may be broughtin appropriate co operating4position with respect to the container or receptaclev II. The mannerinwhich this 4 container II is supported will be described hereinafter.

Each of the containers 2, as shown in Figs.

1, 2, 3, S and 11, is supported below table 4 by an appropriate hangeror bracket I2 secured to the table. As shown in Figs. 3, 8 and 9, eachbracket I2 has a metal band I3 adapted to tightly embrace a container 2adjacent the top thereof. The ends Vof band I3 may be provided with earsI4 through which a bolt I5 carrying a Wing nut 204 passes.

By tightening nut 204, the band I3 is clamped tightlyabut the can2, anupper lip 205 on the can vinsuring against, the can slipping downward`within the band. When nut 24 is loosened, the

natural resilience of the band causes it to spring open, as illustratedat 205 in Fig. 2, allowing readyremoval of a can.

Each of bands I3 is hung beneath table 4 by arms I6, I'I and I8 'whichare secured to the table as` by bolts I9, 20 and 2l. Each arm'IG, I'I orI8 has a projection or ear 205, 201V .or 208 respectively foraccommodating the bolt I3, 20 or ZI as the case may be, a circularmetalplate 203 being interposed between the ears and the table.Y

Bolts I9, 2.0 and 2| extend through table 4 being provided with nuts 2I0at theirV upper ends. A circular metallic plate 2II is provided betweenthe nuts and the table top. Y .Y Y To permit band I3 to be clamped abouta container 2 or to bereadily released therefrom, two of the hangersYas. I6 and I1, are permitted a limited transverse movement with respectto table 4. Referring to Figs. I?` and 10, 'it Will be seen that bolt I9does not clamp ear 206 against plate 200 but merely supports the ear ona washer 2I2 on thehead of.b`olt I9, a separator 2I3 being interposedbetween Washer 2I2 and plate 209 to provide clearance for ear 206. Ear200 has a large hole 2I4 providing ample clear- Y ance about separator2I3 to allow the'necessary movement of ear 206 and hanger I5. A similarsupporting arrangement is provided for ear 207I. As thus far described,it is apparent that the table structure 4 may be angularly adjusted to"bring any one of ,the containers 2 into cooperative relationwith can or'receptacle II so as to enable the operator to permit the Vilow ofkliquid from the chosen container into the can Il. VThe :control of thepassage of liquid out of the contali-1ers 2 is provided by thefaid-ofvalve struc-l tures V220 located near 'the bottom of the containers.These valves may 'be best described in like. The body 22 may beheld rmlyin placey near the bottom of they container 2'by the aid of the eXibleclamping bands 25' andv 25; clamping bands are provided' with loops suchas indicated at 2l, extending around the posts 28 formed integrally withthe body member 22. The free ends of the bands 2a and 2.5 are eachprovided With ears 29 through which passes the tightening bolt 30. Inthis way the exible bands 25 and 25 are held tightly in place, and thevalve structure is thus secured to the can.

The body 22 is provided with a throughport 3 I, placed in communicationwith the interior ofthe container 2, in a man-ner to be described- TheVBand I3 is formed to a some` These being provided with the bosses 35 and31, having fiat surfaces. Port 3| extends through boss 35. For-ming aclosure for the port ,3l is a gate or closure member 33. This gate 33,in the form of a metal plate, lying closely over the boss 35, is adaptedto move in a direction transverse to the port 3 I, and is shown asprovided with a lower knife edge 34. This knife edge 34 ensures that thedischarge through the port 3| will be cut oi sharply, as gate 33 movesdownwardly past the port. Knife edge 34 also serves to scrape thesurface of boss 35 clean as gate 33 closes, thus ensuring a tight jointbetween gate 33 and the surface of boss 35, preventing leakage. Thelower edge of boss 35 is formed with converging surfaces, forming apoint 43 to guide the flow of liquid in a more uniform stream. Closuremember 33 is urged laterally against the boss 35 by resilient means in amanner to be hereinafter described. In this way it is ensured that atight closure of the valve is secured.

Gate 33 is pivotally mounted on a stationary stud 33 threaded into thebody 22, in the center of boss 31. Resilient means are provided forurging the gate 33 in a clockwise direction to the closed positionillustrated in Fig. 13. This clockwise rotation, however, is limited byengagement of the end portion 38 of the knife edge 34 formed on the gate33, with a stop 39 formed integrally with the body 22. y

By referring to Fig. 15, it will be noted that stop 33 is provided withan inclined surface 5| adapted to be engaged by surface 38 when member33 is in closed position. Thus, as gate 33 is urged downwardly to itsclosed position, it is also urged inwardly, or toward the left, intocontact with the face of boss 35. This furthery ensures against leakage.This arrangement of the stop also guards against gate 33 beingaccidentally pulled away from the face of boss 35.

Gate 33 may also be provided with a finger piece or handle 43 forfacilitating the raising of the gate 33 to open position, Furthermore,the body 22 may also be provided with a rest 4| integrally formed on thebody 22, to accommodate 41, the spring may be caused to exert asubstantial force on the end of gate 33 urging it against its seat onboss 35.

In Fig. 21, the dotted lines show this end portion, y when free. It willbe readily apparent that when end 46 is placed in recess 41. portion 45will be fiexedto about that position shown by the full lines. In thatposition consequently the spring will exert a substantial force on gate33 as indicated by arrow 52 urging member 33 directly against boss 35.

This is an important feature, since otherwise with portion 45 of suchlength as to enter recess 41 without flexing, the force exerted byhelical portion 42 urging gate 33 against boss 31 would be only slightlyeffective to urge the more remote portion of the gate against boss 35,and in the event of any irregularity in the faces of the bosses, mighteven tend to rock gate 33 away from boss 35.

The valve structure as just described may be very simply installed onany ordinary can, such as a paint can, even when the can is full. Thusthe bands 25 and 26 may be encircled around the container 2 -in such aplace as to position the valve structure in the desired location. Thenthe bolt 3U can be tightened. The connection into the can 2 can then beprovided .by laying the container 2 on its side with the valve structureuppermost, as shown in Fig. 26, and forcing a piercing instrumentthrough the port 3| to form the aperture 49 (Fig. 14) in the wall of thecan. This piercing can be made with an awl-like instrument even when thecan is filled with liquid, the unusual cover of the can being in place.

While this piercing operation may be performed with any convenient sharppointed instrument, such piercing leaves a jagged hole which isundesirable, as it does not permit free flow of heavy material from thecan. Since some of the tints are of this nature, a special tool 53,

- shown in Fig. 28, is provided which cuts out a the thumb of theoperatorwhen he desires to manipulate the closure member 33. In thisway, the thumb serves to steady the container 2 during operation of thegate 33. I

The resilient means for urging the closure 33 to the position of Fig. 13may be in the form of a helical spring 42. One end of the spring isshown as anchored in a castle nut 43 threaded on the stud 3B. The otherend of the spring 42 acts upon the gate 33 adjacent the place where itis pivoted on the stud 3B, urging the gate 33 tightly against the boss31. By appropriate adjustment of the nut 43 the expansive force of thespring 42 may be varied. The nut 43 may be held in adjusted position asby the aid of cotter pin 44.

In order to urge the gate 33 against stop 39, the free end 45 of thespring 42 is shown as extended along the closure member 33, and isprovided with an end 46 engaging in a recess 41 in the gate 33. Theprojection 45 thus serves to connect the gate 33 with the torsion spring42. Adjustment of nut 43 also adjusts the torsion of the spring 42. Theend 45 also operates as a leaf spring, exerting a transverse force onclosure 33, to urge it strongly against boss 35.

By making the end portion or extension 45 `of spring 42 so that thedistance between the end 46 and the center of coil 42 when not attachedto gate 33 is substantially greater than the distance between the-center of stud 36 andrecess piece of the container to form a smoothcircular opening of the same size as port 3|. As shown in Figs. 26 and27, this tool has hollow cylindrical cutting blade 54, with a cuttingedge 55 along its opposite surfaces meeting in a point 56. Blade 54 issecured in a suitable handle 51 for Vconvenient manipulation, a shoulder58 being provided at the base of blade 54. To guard against injury toface 32 of valve body 22, a washer 59 of suitable material as fibre isprovided on shoulder 58.

With container 2 supported in a horizontal position with valve structure220 uppermost (Fig. 26), gate 33 (Fig. 13) is swung upwardly far enoughto clear stop 39. It is then pulled outwardly and allowed to swingdownwardly past the stop 39. Blade 54 of tool 53 is then inserted inport 3| of the valve structure 22, and forced downwardly, point 56piercing the wall of container 2, until shoulder 58 contacts the face 32of the valve body'. With the tool in this position, it is rotated,causing one or the other of cutting edges 54 to out a circular piece thesize of port 3| from the wall of the container, leaving a large smoothopening. Tool 53 is then removed and gate 33 returned to port closingposition.

It is intended thatl the cover originally on the container be removedafter the piercing or cutting operation and replaced with a similarcover 50 which however has a central packed opening |8| to accommodatethe agitator shaft 15. This cover 50 is shown as of the usual paint canvariety having surfaces cooperating with other surfaces on the container2 to yieldingly Ahold the cover 505m place.

It will be apparent that to permit 'ready withdrawalvof 'the contents oflthe containers `2, means for admitting air to the containers must beprovided. Thus each cover -'u may have a small port i586 (Figs. 23 and251) for this purpose. To prevent y let'erifo'ration fof the contents aclosure |87 is provided for each -port |86. Closure |81 consists of ashrtbar |88 having a tapered plug |88 'adapted tol enter and close port|88. Bar |88 is vpiifotaifly secured ite cover '58 by means of a screw|812 passing tlariigh the cover and engaged by vva nut SISIvenf=tfheinnder vside :of the Cover. A spring ||82 iencircles "screw 198and urges member |87 axially bf screw i|90 'toward cover 58. A

handle 193 projects upwardly from bar i''il for' convenient manipulatinof -inember |87.

When it is desired to withdraw a portion of the contents of anycontainer 2, the vvappropriate member 4"|87 'is pulled 4ru=pwar 1ly asufficient distance t'ol'ift plug '|139 free of prt |88, and is thenswung angularl'y a short distance about screw |98 when the meniber 5F89may be released, plug |88 resting oncover 58. .Alfter the desired amountof theV rist-intents have been removed, member |81 is swung `angu'larly1about screw '|28 'until plug |88 registers with lport I-BB 'when'spring E32 will force the plug into the i'prt. v

Y As 'thus 'far deso'ibed, it is evident that by appropriatemanipular/in off the -aparatus, liquid may be -caxused 'to be'discharged from any selected container 2 into fa can or container I.There will now be described the supportingr means for the container "II. Y

Referring i-n this connection to Figs..v l, 2, 3, 7 and 16, thecontainer oir receptacle Il is shown as disposed Iupon a lmixing'tableor platform 68. The container II may be of the conventional paintcan type, and any desired size of paint can can be accommodated on thetable 68.

The table 6U is shown as supported by th'e aid of a rod 64 which ispressed into a boss 65 formed integrally with the table B8. The rod Vdllin turn is supported in aboss 66 'formed atthefree ex` tremity of abracket v(il. The rod 6i! is arranged to -have a sliding t within theVboss 68, and :may be held in any adjusted vertical position, as bythe-aid of athumbscrew G8.

'I'h'e bracket 8l, shown in this instance as of ribbed castconstruction, is formed at its other extremity with a half socket '69partially embracV` ing the standard iiV (see Fig. `'7). VCooperatingwith this half socket `69 is a clamping band. This clamping band isprovided With a projection 'ljpassin-g through an aperture A'formedinthe bracket B'I. At its other end the band is provided with an ear 1|.ear 1| is innopposed relation to the ear 'I2 formed on the socket member69 of .the br-acket I'I. Aclamping bolt "i3 and thumb nut 'I4 areutilized for maintaining the bracket ,structure 6,1 tightly in lplaceupony the standard 6.

VAlthough the apparatus may be utilized in connection with anyfree-flowing materials, such as liquids, :for V'facilitating making ofmixtures in the container ill, one of its important uses isin the mixingof .tints or colors in connection with lacque'rs, enamels and paints.When so utilized each of the containers 2 may be appropriately labeledor numbered to correspond with a denite standard clor chart. In this Waythe desired container 2 can bermoved to a position `where the color ortint-from that desired can may be 'passed into the container I.

When. iisd in eollrtin With paints 't is :also quite important tofeis'nre that the constituent or basic colorsfin the fteen containers 2be thoroughly stirred before being withdrawn and 'added tothe mixture.For `this `purpose an 'agitator mechanism is provided. i 'Thus 'as shown`most clearly in Figs. 3, 8 and l2, an lagitator spindle 15 associatedvwith each can or container 2. g y

Prefer-ably some 'pac'liz'ingV 4for the'spindle T5 is provided, toprevent l"entri7 o' air to :the container about 'the spindle and retardoxidation of the contents ofthecorftainer. l Y

Referring to Figs. `23 'nd 24, it will be noted that the opening `|`8f|which permits passage of agitator shaft T5 through cover 58, provides 'alarge 'clearance about the shfaft .15, thereby eliminating any need oraccurate 'alinement of .containerr2 (and its supporting bracket I2 withrespect to the bearing.standard,'86y and spindle 8|. vIn orderA to seal.about shaft 1'5, .a oating cork gasket 'IlV is .housed in a threadedring |82, secured to cover 50 concentrically about opening |81. Ring |82is substantially larger than gasket T6, whereby togaccomm'odate thegasket Afor any position of sh'aftl 'vxzithin the clearance opening ISI.A` lca p 'I'I threadedly engaging ring |82 serves to clamp .gasket T6'in adjusted position after container Zand agitator shaft yl5 have beenplaced in the machine.

The agitator spindle 'lfilcarries at its .lower end the agitator paddle19. kThis agitator paddle I9 may be formed di a flat metal Ybar havingan in-V termediate portion v8l] fltted into la slot in the end of thespindle J5. The bar 1801i lopposite sides of the portion '80 may .bebent in opposite directions, rso that .thebroad surfaces of th'e paddlelie in planes loblique to the axis of spindle l5, as illustrated`mostclea'rlyin Fig. -3. The-portion 88 may .bebraced Ain place-in thelower end of the spindle 151.v The Iagitator bars` I9 are arranged .tobe disposed adjacent the bottom `of the Y respective ycontainers .2.They are rotated by ia power Ptransmission wl-rich will nowibedescribed.

Each of the spindles 'I5 provided with -a driving pulley structure .'88,:shown .to best advantage in Figs. 2, :3 and 8. The spindle 15 is shownas detachably connected to thelower Yend of its correspondingstem A81|.The flower end of .stem 8| for this purpose is #provided with a 'centralthreaded aperture *82, within which the threaded end a3 cfjthespindie 15may be accommodated, An enlarged recess 821 fis provided in the 'bottomof the Stem ns1 within 'whichy the upper cylindrical portion of thespindle 'I5 may be accommo dated. The shoulder l'formed at the top ofspindle 'i5 around end 83 seats accurately in the bottom of the recess'84. 'To facilitate coupling and uncouplin'g Of the spindle 'I5 vfromthe stem 8|, a

throughaperture v .may ybe ,provided through theV upperendofytheJspindle ,15, for the accommodation of a pin to serve as a handle. Y

Thus, :if desired, as `for example for purposes of cleaning or lling 'orreplacing any container, the 'spindle l'Il'nrtny befdisconnectedfrom thestem 8|,Yand ithen the vcontainer 2 Withthe spindleV l5 may be removedas a unit from the table 4.

The stem 8| is vourri-'aled within a standard S (Fig. 8). standard isshown asbeing provi-ded witha lower, reduced portion 81, formingashoulder `88.V This 'shoulder 88 `rests'uptni plate 2H on the topofthememberll. Standard 85 maybe held tightly in vplace 4as by the aidoi 9a nut 89, accommodated on the threaded portion 90 of the reduced portion81.

Interposed between the stem 8| and the standard 86 are one or morebearing bushings 92, 93. These bushings may be made of self-lubricatingmaterial such as oilite. In order to keep these bushings properlysaturated, oil may be supplied to them as through the oiling aperture94. Oiling aperture 94 connects with an annular recess 95 in standard85, surrounding the bushing 92.

Oil supplied through aperture 94 to the upper bushing 93 will percolatethrough the bushing into the annular space 95 formed by standard 86about stem 8|, and hence will pass to the lower bushing 92.

The upper end of stem 8| is arranged to be connected to the hub 91 of adriving pulley structure 98, For example, theradial headless set screw99 may be used to form this` driving connection. The pulley 98 may beconveniently formed of a light casting having a V-groove |00, for theaccommodation of a wedge-shaped belt As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, apulley structure 98 is associated with each of the agitator stems 8| TheV-belt |0| serves to drive all of the pulley structures 98. For thispurpose the V-belt |0| is shown as in driving contact with the outeredge of each of the pulley structures 99. The belt |0| makes a reversebend, as indicated at |02, so as to pass around a driving pulley |03.This pulley is shown to best advantage in Fig, 5.

The driving pulley |03, due to the reverse bend |02, engages that sideof the belt |0| which is out of engagement with the pulley structures98. Accordingly, this outer surface of the belt |0| is also madewedge-shaped, providing a double V- belt arrangement. All of theagitator structures, for all of the containers 2, are driven in the samedirection.

For driving the pulley |03 and thereby transmitting power to the stem8|, this pulley structure |03 is formed as one element of a step pulleyAnother element of the step pulley is pulley structure |04, which isrotated by a source of power. These two pulley structures thus mustrotate in unison. LThey are freely rotatable on a non-rotatable stubshaft |05. This hub of the stepped pulley structure may be provided withoilite bushings i6 adapted to .be oiled through the apertures |01. Thispulley structure may be restrained against upward axial movement withrespect to the stub shaft I5, as by the aid of a collar or washer |08held in place by spring snap ring |09. The manner in which the stubshaft is supported will be explained hereinafter.

A source of power, such as a small vertical electric motor ||0 (Figs, l,2, 3 and 6) may be belt connected to the pulley element |04. Forsupporting the motor |0, a bracket structure is utilized, having fourupright arms ||2. At the top of each of these arms there is a boss ||3for the accommodation of the bolts ||4 which pass through the end bell|5 and frame of the motor I|0. Nuts ||6 and ||1 serve to maintain themotor ||0 securely in place on top of the arms H2.

The motor shaft at its lower end, carries a V-pulley H8. This pulley isin driving relation with the pulley structure |04 as by the aid of theV-belt H9.

There is thus obtained a double reduction from the motor shaft to theagitator mechanism. One reduction is secured by the'aid of the smalldriva movement will serve to tighten the belt |0|,

while belt ||9 would be loosened. Brutif at vthe same time the motor H0is moved suciently in a direction upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2, the beltH9 may be nevertheless tightened. Both of these tightening movements canbe obtained by providing a lioating support? for shaft |05 and by movingthe motor upwardly as viewed in Fig. 2. f

For this purpose,'the stub shaft |05 is shown as carried by a disk |22,as by being iirmly fixed in a boss |20, formed integrally with the disk|22. The shaft |05 is held tightly in said boss |20, as by being rivetedover at its end |2|. Disk |22 is mounted for angular motionabout aneccentric axis |23 parallel to, but spaced from the axis of the boss|20. v

In order to provide the supporting axis |23, disk |22 is providedwithanother boss |24 which is rotatable on an enlarged journal portion |20of a bolt |25. Bolt |25 extends downwardly through table 4 and issecured thereto by a nut |21. Another nut |28 and washer 29 serve toretain disk |22 on journal portion |25. It will be obvious that this'enlarged portion |20 provides upper and lower shoulders 2|5 and 2|6, nut|21 cooperating with shoulder 2|5 to clamp Abolt |25 to table 4, theupper shoulder 2|5 providing a stop for nut |28, washer |29 so that disk|22 is freely rotatable about axis |23.

As indicated most clearly in Fig. 2, and considerlng that the axis |23is xed, an upward movement of the motor ||0 will serve simultaneously tomove the stub shaft |05 angularly about the axis |23, in an upwarddirection. This movement of the motor ||0 can be made sufficiently greatto take. the `slack out of both of the belts |0| and H9, as hereinbeforedescribed.

The manner in which the motor may be moved for accomplishing this resultis illustrated to best advantage in Figs. 2, 3 and 6. Thus the bracketwhich supports the motor ||0, is shown as provided with a pair of feet|29 and |30, resting on the top plate 2| of table member 4. These feetare slotted for the accommodation of bolts |3|, |32, which pass throughappropriate apertures in the table 4. These bolts are provided with thenuts |33, operating to clamp the feet |29, |30 to member 4. When thenuts, however, are loosened, the bracket Y| |,I may be moved withinthelimits prescribed by the slots, as by the aid of anadjusting bolt |34(Figs. 2 and 3). This adjusting bolt is journaled in a standard |35,fastened as by the aid of an integrally formed stud |36, to the top ofthe table member 4. The adjustingbolt |34 threadedly engages thethreaded boss |31 formed integrally with the bracket When the apparatusisV used for mixing paints or lacquers or the like, it is advantageousto make it possible to pass either a paint or a lacquer thinner into thecontainer Il.' supplemental to the ingredients from containers 2.Accordingly tanks or cans are provided, appropricontainers 2, it ispossible to match such colors very closely. The colors and the formulasrequired to produce them by .the aid of any of the group of the fifteenconstituents may be listed in a color table. Such a table may list thecars by name, color, and year; and associated with each of these, may bea table stating where the slide member |63 must be placed with theproper scale, in succession for each ingredient to be added.

The manner of setting the bracket I| at the correct height along rod|53, prior to these measurements, may also be described. In thisconnection attention is directed to Figs. 16 and 22. First of all, theplatform 60 is placed at a convenient height to correspond with the sizeof can Il, the top edge being set close under the valves 220 oncontainers 2. The float |45 is then dropped to the bottom of the emptycan |I. The proper scale with regard to the size of can Il is nowchosen, and slide member |63 adjusted so that index |65 carried by thelens |66 alines with the S mark on scale |48 (see Fig. 22). This mark isindicated by |61 and is a short distance below the zero mark. The.bracket I5| is now set so that the pointers |58 and |6| are alined.Clamp screw |55 is then tightened. Slide mem-ber |63 is now moved to thezero mark. The table l is now angularly moved until the petcock |44 forsupplying thinner is directly over the can I I, The cock |44 is openedand enough thinner is passed into can II to bring pointers |56 and |6|once more into alinement. The operator is now ready to consult his colortables, setting thereafter the slide member |63 to agree with thetabulation for the first ingredient. This rst ingredient is then runinto the can, until pointers |58, |6| are again alined. To add the nextingredient, the slide member |63 is moved to the prescribed highernumber on the scale, the ingredient added, and the operation isrepeated, according to formula until the formula has been completed.

The thinner placed in receptacle I I at the beginning of the mixingoperation fulfills two purposes. First, it takes care of anyinequalities in the bottom of the can and gives an accurate base fromwhich to start measurements. If the rst color ingredient was placeddirectly in the bottom can I, there would likely be sucient inaccuraciesto adversely affect the tint. Second,

the ingredients being heavier than the thinner, as they are added theygo through the thinner to the bottom, the thinner and float remaining ontop. Thus, the float is not fouled by the colors and at the end of themixing need only be removed from the thinner and wiped in order to beperfectly clean and ready for future use.

Some care should be taken to position float |45 to one side ofreceptacle II, so that the colors as they are added will not strike thefloat. Otherwise the float will be soiled and its operation -disturbed.

What is claimed is:

In a mixing apparatus, a rotatable table, a plurality of containerssuspended below the table, each of said containers having a dischargeopening directed away from the axis of rotation of the table, anagitator in each container, each of said agitators having a rotaryshaft, a coupling for each shaft, extending upwardly through the table,a pulley at a point above said table associated respectively with eachcoupling, and a motor carried by and above the table for simultaneouslyldriving said pulleys.

EDWARD M. ONEILL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the lile ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 811,482 Case Jan. 30, 1906905,525 Hanson Dec. 1, 1908 1,231,499 Crossley June 26, 1917 1,327,351Morton Jan. 6, 1920 1,502,465 Garrett June 22, 1924 1,633,470 Ball June21, 1927 1,689,047 Packer Oct. 23, 1924 1,842,938 Hancock Jan. 26, 19321,937,385 Hinkle Nov. 28, 1933 1,967,891 Lamoreaux July 24, 19342,005,937 Dennison June 25, 1935 2,026,950 Miller Jan. 7, 1936 2,065,012Mulford Dec. 22, 1936 2,094,702 Hexter Oct. 5, 1937 2,152,035 GettysMar. 28, 1939 Y2,172,593 Prince et al. Sept. 12, 1939

